Savannah Guthrie feared her mother may have been targeted because of her fame

Savannah Guthrie’s Deep Concern Over Her Mother’s Disappearance

Savannah Guthrie has openly expressed her emotional turmoil following her mother Nancy Guthrie’s mysterious vanishing. In her first post-disappearance interview with Hoda Kotb, she revealed the possibility that her mother’s fame as a co-anchor of “TODAY” might have made her a target. “I don’t know if it’s because she’s my mom and someone thought, ‘Oh, that lady has money. We can make a quick buck,’ ” she said, reflecting on the unsettling thought. “But we don’t know. That’s what’s hardest to bear—thinking that I brought this to her bedside. It’s because of me.”

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on January 31 in her Tucson, Arizona, home. Authorities reported her missing on February 1 after she missed a virtual church service at a friend’s house. The family noticed she hadn’t arrived the night before, around 9:45 p.m., following dinner at Savannah’s daughter Annie Guthrie’s residence. Soon after, the Guthrie family realized something serious had occurred. Savannah admitted her position in the public eye could have played a role in the incident.

Her brother, whom she called “brilliant” due to his military background, was the first to suspect a kidnapping. “Even on the phone, he knew right away,” Savannah recalled.

“He said, ‘I think she’s been kidnapped for ransom.’ And I said, ‘What? Why? What?’”

She added, “It sounds so dumb, but I didn’t want to believe it. I asked, ‘Do you think because of me?’ And he replied, ‘I’m sorry, sweetie, but maybe.’”

The family quickly ruled out a simple disappearance. “Annie and Tommy were clear from the start—this isn’t the usual case where someone just wanders off,” Savannah explained. “Mom has a bad back and lives in constant pain. On good days, she could walk to the mailbox, but most days she couldn’t.” The scene at the home, including open doors and blood on the doorstep, fueled their suspicion. “The Ring camera had been yanked off, and the doors were left ajar,” she noted.

Initially, the family thought Nancy might have had a medical emergency. “We imagined paramedics arriving and taking her out the back,” Savannah said. “But her phone, purse, and belongings were still there—so it wasn’t just an accident.” Within hours, she boarded a plane to Tucson, joining a large-scale search involving state and federal agencies. The investigation has included land searches, neighbor video footage, and ransom notes.

Savannah believes two of the ransom notes are genuine. “There were several notes, but I think most are fake,” she said. “A person who sends a counterfeit one has to really look at the family’s pain. Still, I’m convinced the two we responded to are real.”

In a heartfelt plea, the family released a tearful video on Instagram, urging anyone with information to come forward. “We’re ready to talk,” Savannah said, expressing their determination. They have also offered a $1 million reward for Nancy’s safe return. “How is it possible,” she concluded, “that we’re still searching after so many weeks?”